Attending a New Jersey college on the cheap is tough, but achievable! Thanks to generous state financial aid programs like Tuition Aid Grants, you could have the means to afford big names (e.g. Rutgers), specialist schools (e.g. New Jersey Institute of Technology) and major public players (e.g. Kean). Most state funding is targeted at existing New Jersey residents who want to attend a NJ college, but there are exceptions to this rule (e.g. NJCLASS loans). To offset the high cost of living in areas like Jersey City and Newark, a lot of schools have also developed strong university aid packages for low-income students from any area.

How to Transfer College Credits in New Jersey

New Jersey’s college transfer system offers an easy way to transfer credit from community colleges to four year universities. There is a transferable core of lower division courses, a statewide guaranteed transfer of associate degrees, and a comprehensive transfer guide that enables students to see how courses taken at one educational institution in New Jersey will transfer to another.

In New Jersey, students are able to take a transferable core of lower division courses. This means that the core courses that students complete at a community college or four year institution will easily transfer over to other educational institutions in New Jersey.

Using NJ Transfer, students are able to see how courses from a community college will transfer to another college or university in New Jersey. More than 40 educational institutions in New Jersey participate in the NJ Transfer website. The website offers Recommended Transfer Programs that highlight courses that will transfer to four year institutions, either with a selected major, or with general education requirements.

Have a particular university in mind? Some state-sponsored grants and scholarships (e.g. Educational Opportunity Fund) can be applied to private universities and community colleges, not just state schools. There are funds available for tuition and expenses, and loan repayment plans for public service (e.g. primary care). As always, we recommend you check the fine print—you could be required to provide proof of your NJ residency or GPA in order to qualify for certain state aid programs.

New Jersey Student Grants

Summary: EOF is geared towards low-income New Jersey residents who need extra assistance affording college. It provides financial aid for college costs (e.g. books, fees, room and board, etc.) that are not covered by the TAG program. Grants usually range from $200-$2,500 annually and participating institutions include public research universities, community colleges, state colleges/universities and independent colleges/universities.

Eligibility: You must 1. Be a New Jersey resident. 2. Demonstrate that you’re from an educationally and economically disadvantaged background. 3. Apply and be accepted to a participating NJ college/university. 4. Meet your school’s academic criteria. 5. Have a gross income that falls below certain levels (the website has a list).

How to Apply: To apply, you should file a FAFSA and then contact the EOF campus director at your choice of college—try the Financial Aid Office if you’re having any trouble. Each school has specific criteria for EOF admission and program participation.

Summary: 1/3 of all full-time undergraduates in New Jersey receive TAG support. These generous awards (over $12,000 in some cases) are available to full-time undergraduate students who can demonstrate financial need & are enrolled in an approved New Jersey college, university or degree-granting proprietary school.

Eligibility: TAGs are awarded on the basis of financial need. In addition, you must be a New Jersey resident and a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program.

How to Apply: To apply, you need to file your FAFSA by the New Jersey state deadline. Visit the website above for more detailed information.

Summary: TAG grants are also available for students who are enrolled for 6-11 credits in county colleges. The amount of the grant varies depending on student need, cost of attendance and available funding. (Typical annual awards range from $576-$1,970.)

Eligibility: It’s almost the same as TAG, except that you don’t have to be a full-time undergraduate. This grant is meant for part-time students enrolled in approved county colleges.

How to Apply: To apply, you need to file your FAFSA by the New Jersey state deadline. Visit the website above for more detailed information.

New Jersey Student Scholarships

Summary: New Jersey’s Foster and Adoptive Family Services provides educational assistance to current high school seniors who were adopted, are—or were in—foster care or have entered Kinship Legal Guardianship. Tuition Waivers are available for tuition and fees; Educational and Training Vouchers (ETVs) are granted to young people who need help with the next phase of their life (including college costs such as tuition and fees, room and board, supplies, transportation and child care).

Eligibility: In addition to meeting the foster care requirements (see the website for specific details), new applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED and be between the ages of 16 and 23. Only youth 21 or older who have been continuously enrolled in post-secondary education since their 21st birthday and meet a required case history eligibility below will be eligible for the Education Training Voucher (ETV).

Summary: NJ STARS awards are intended for students who want to earn an associate degree at a New Jersey community college.The NJ STARS award covers the cost of tuition (less any state and/or federal grants and scholarships) for up to 18 credit hours per semester.

Eligibility: Only New Jersey high school students who rank in the top 15% of their class at the end of their junior or senior year are eligible for the scholarship (see the website above for all the requirements).

How to Apply: To apply, you should file your FAFSA. If you receive other state or federal financial aid, NJ STARS will cover the rest of tuition costs. If you’re not eligible for financial aid, NJ STARS will cover the entire cost of tuition. For more info, visit HESAA’s page for New Jersey Grants & Scholarships: Fact Sheets and Applications.

Summary: NJ STARS II awards (up to $2,500) are available to NJ STARS scholars who wish to transfer to an approved New Jersey four-year public or private college/university to earn a bachelor’s degree. (These schools must participate in the TAG program).

Eligibility: You must have earned a 3.25 GPA in your associate’s degree to be eligible for a junior year scholarship. You must also maintain a 3.25 GPA in your junior year to receive the scholarship in your senior year. Students whose family income exceeds $250,000 will not be eligible for NJ STARS II.

Summary: The NJ-GIVS program is aimed at New Jersey women and minority students pursuing a certificate or degree program (e.g. civil engineering technology) in a construction-related field. The scholarship pays up $2,000 per year or up to the cost of tuition (less any federal, state, or institutional aid) when students attend one of New Jersey’s eligible institutions.

Eligibility: You must be a a female or minority group member (see the website for specific criteria) with an annual household income below $60,000. You must also be a New Jersey resident and hold a high school diploma or GED.

Summary: NJ GUS is a merit-based scholarship program for aspiring college students living in economically-challenged communities (e.g. Asbury Park, Lakewood, etc.). See the website for a list of these areas.

Eligibility: Applicants must rank within the top 5% of their class and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of their junior year in high school. They’ll be required to complete a full-time degree or certificate program at an approved New Jersey college, university or degree-granting proprietary school.

How to Apply: Apart from filing your FAFSA, there is no application process for this scholarship—HESAA will use your FAFSA to figure out if you qualify and send you a notice of the award.

Summary: STB and LEOMS awards are granted to children and surviving spouses of New Jersey firefighters, emergency service workers and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. They provide free tuition at any public institution of higher education in New Jersey or approved independent institutions.

Eligibility: In addition to being an eligible dependent or spouse, you must be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program at an approved New Jersey college, university or degree-granting proprietary school. You will also need to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Summary: The WTC scholarship is available to dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed or died as a result of injuries in the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on September 11, 2001. This includes dependents of those who died as a result of illness caused by exposure to the attack.

Eligibility: In addition to being a qualified dependent or spouse (see above), applicants must be full-time undergraduate students.

New Jersey Student Loans & Repayment Programs

Summary: The JRJ loan repayment assistance program is intended to support lawyers involved in public law careers. Although funds for this program are allocated from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, loan repayments are awarded and administered by designated state agencies.

Eligibility: Applicants must be currently employed full-time as an eligible prosecutor or public defender, have eligible student loan debt and sign a service agreement to stay in their job for at least 3 years.

How to Apply: Interested candidates can contact HESAA at 609-584-4020.

Summary: Administered by HESAA, NJCLASS are supplemental loans that are intended to help students pay for college expenses not covered by other sources of aid. Fixed-rate and variable-rate loans are available for undergraduates, graduates and professional students.

Summary: To support healthcare in medically underserved areas throughout New Jersey, this generous program provides up to $120,000 in student loan redemption for 2-4 years of service as a primary care provider.

Summary: Thanks to a shortage of nursing faculty in New Jersey, the state government is providing a loan repayment assistance to students who commit to an approved graduate nursing education program (e.g. MSN, DNS, DNP, PhD). After graduation, these teachers must spent 5 years in full-time faculty employment at a school of nursing in New Jersey.

Eligibility: In addition to completing an approved graduate education degree, applicants must be residents of New Jersey and live in the state during the course of the program.

How to Apply: Interested candidates can contact HESAA at 609-584-4020.

Education Assistance for New Jersey Military & Veterans

Summary: This comprehensive program provides free undergraduate college tuition to any child (born or adopted) of a veteran who has been officially declared a prisoner of war (POW) or person missing in action (MIA) after Jan. 1, 1960.

Eligibility: The POW-MIA must have been a New Jersey resident at the time of entering service, and the child must attend a private or public institution in New Jersey and a copy of DD 1300 must accompany the application.

Summary: Partial tuition reimbursement ($400 for full-time; $200 for part-time students) is available to any veteran who wishes to attend an approved NJ educational institution.

Eligibility: The veteran must have been on active duty between December 31, 1960, and May 7, 1975, and been a legal resident of New Jersey at the time of entrance into (or discharge from) the service or two years immediately prior to application.

Summary: War Orphans Tuition ($500 per year) is available for children of service personnel who died while in the military, or due to service-connected disabilities, or who are officially listed as missing in action by the U.S. Dept. of Defense.

Eligibility: The deceased veteran has to be a state resident and the child must be between the ages of 16-21 and be a resident of New Jersey for at least 12 months.

You’ll find lots of useful resources on NJ 2-1-1. This service provides free advice on almost every low-income initiative in your community, including daycare facilities, shelters, affordable housing units, employment training programs, medical insurance and programs like NJ Find A Ride. We’ve also listed a number of county-specific social service organizations in our city sections below.

Smaller NJ universities deal with housing issues in different ways. For example, although Saint Peter’s University guarantees rooms for all undergraduates (check out their residence hall profiles), city schools like New Jersey City University (NJCU) and William Paterson (WPU) are more inclined to cater to commuters and part-time students. According to U.S. News & World Report, a whopping 96% of NJCU students live off-campus and commute.

When in doubt, make a list of expenses (e.g. groceries vs. meal plans, utilities vs. dorm fees, etc.) and compare options – an on-campus vs. off-campus calculator can be found at CalcXML.com. You’ll also want to consider the crime rate and general cost of living in your school’s surrounding neighborhoods. In areas around NYC and Newark, university housing might turn out to be safer and/or cheaper than renting.

Off-Campus Housing

Always ask your NJ college or university for advice on affordable off-campus housing. Most schools will have someone who can recommend websites and help with paperwork; major institutions will have oodles of extra resources. For example, NJIT has an Off Campus Housing Office where you can search current listings or set up an appointment to receive assistance. Rutgers has an entire website devoted to Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships, with current apartment listings, legal advice, forms and checklists, safety tips and neighborhood overviews.

In addition to searching Google and Craigslist for cheap apartments, you might also want to check out websites that allow you to target your school. ApartmentGuide.com, CampusRent.com, MyApartmentMap.com and TheOffCampus.com will allow you to search for listings near your specific New Jersey college. Out of options? Have a look at the New Jersey Homeless Shelter Directory. This includes listings of other services for the needy (e.g. medical).

Utilities

Utilities (e.g. power, water, cable service, etc.) aren’t always included in the rent. Before you sign any piece of paper, ask your potential landlord what kinds of utilities you’ll be required to pay and a monthly estimate of the bill. If your dollar is being stretched thin by energy and water bills, the NJ Board of Utilities has a fairly thorough List of NJ Utility Assistance Programs, including NJ Shares and the True and Page Programs. The True and Page Programs are expressly targeted at folks who are experiencing a temporary financial crisis.

Medical & Dental

Along with free or low-cost university medical centers, there are plenty of community clinics and health centers in New Jersey that offer free or affordable medical care. You’ll find lists of these NJ organizations on NeedyMeds.org and FreeClinicDirectory.org. If you’re suffering from a mental health issue, don’t suffer alone. NJMentalHealthCares.org has a Directory of Mental Health Services and offers a free number, 1-866-202-HELP(4357) (TTY 1-877-294-4356), for confidential mental health information and referral.

For your teeth, you can start by searching for places listed on FreeDentalCare.us. The New Jersey Dental Association also maintains a New Jersey Dental Clinic Directory for people who are having trouble getting dental care due to insurance or financial constraints. And don’t forget your home campus—university dental schools are usually a good source of cheap dental care. For example, rates for services at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) are much lower than private practice.

Traveling to/from a smaller school by bus or train? Check out the New Jersey Transit website and information on the New Jersey Transit Student Pass. Full-time college students can save 25% on monthly passes when their school participates in the University Partnership Program.

Food

To help hard-working students who don’t qualify for SNAP, some NJ community colleges and universities have created their own on-campus food banks. For example, Bergen Community College’s Center for Food Action (CFA) is open to students, faculty, and staff in need of food and other emergency services.

If this isn’t the case for your school, you’ll be welcome at local organizations. FoodPantries.org maintains an up-to-date list of New Jersey Food Pantries and HomelessShelterDirectory.org has a similar database of NJ soup kitchens, pantries and food banks. Moms or moms-to-be can also look into whether they qualify for the New Jersey WIC Program.

Find Support in Your Area

College in Newark on a Budget

Courtesy of its location near New York and its cluster of college campuses (e.g. NJIT, Rutgers-Newark, Essex County College, Seton Hall University School of Law, UMDNJ etc.), Newark is a pricey place to exist. According to cost of living data from Sperling’s Best Places, housing and utility payments for regular apartments are particularly high. Add to that food and commuting costs, and you’re looking at a tight budget. For additional info on day-to-day life, visit the City of Newark website.

Where to Go for Help in Newark

Already renting or living in Newark? Juggling family responsibilities? There are lots of non-profit organizations that are ready to assist city residents. For example:

La Casa De Don Pedro is a community-based organization that offers a number of social services, including housing assistance, job development, immigration advice, counseling and health education workshops.

College in Jersey City on a Budget

Like its next-door neighbor (Newark), Jersey City suffers from a high cost of living—especially when it comes to putting a roof over your head. CareerTrends places housing at 55% above the national average. Fabulous transportation networks help, but if you want to live off-campus in the central city, you’re going to be paying for your proximity to the Big Apple. Current residents will know this first-hand! For more information about day-to-day issues, visit the City of Jersey City website.

Where to Go for Help in Jersey City

Struggling with bills or housing issues? A number of non-profit organizations have cropped up to assist low-income college students and families who live in Hudson County. For instance:

United Way of Hudson County (UWHC) is an umbrella organization that works with various non-profit partners to provide affordable housing, tax assistance to low-income households, homeless shelters and emergency assistance.

WomenRising.org assists women and families with social services, workforce development and advocacy services. To help folks find affordable housing options, the organization has a close relationship with the Fairmount Housing Corporation.

College in Paterson on a Budget

With a limited budget, you may choose to live around a lower-cost industrial area like Paterson and commute to schools such as Passaic County Community College, William Paterson University (WPU) or the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) in Morristown. The area isn’t known for its beauty, but housing costs in Paterson are far lower than Jersey City or Newark and the area is home to a huge range of ethnic groups. You can browse through real-life discussions about Paterson on the New Jersey City-Data Forum. For advice on the nuts and bolts of city residency (e.g. permits, homeownership, etc.), visit the City of Paterson government website.

Where to Go for Help in Paterson

If you already live in Paterson and you need assistance with things like housing, utilities or food, there are a number of non-profit organizations that can help. For example:

CUMAC is the largest food distribution program/food pantry in Passaic County and feeds over 3,000 low-income people per month.

Eva’s Village has a number of programs to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, treat the addicted and provide free medical and dental care to low-income residents. It also offers 50 units of affordable housing to Paterson residents.

School Rankings

New Jersey City University

Founded in 1929 as a teacher's college, New Jersey City University in Jersey City, New Jersey currently offers 41 undergraduate degrees, 27 master's degrees and two doctoral degrees. Financial aid is provided to 90% of full-time beginning undergraduates, with 9% receiving institutional grants or scholarships. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, including the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, the $6,000 University VI Scholarship and the $5,000 University V Scholarship. Transfer students are eligible for similar merit-based awards, which range from full-tuition to $2,000. Students studying music or art are eligible for Music and Art Scholarships, which provide awards up to $3,000. The school also awards more than 300 scholarships from the NJCU Foundation to continuing students each year.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 97.2

8,136 Students

2

Rutgers University

Established in 1766 and the eighth-oldest institution of higher learning in the country, Rutgers University is New Jersey's leading research university with almost 47,000 undergraduates and more than 19,000 graduate students coming from all 50 states and over 115 countries. Academically outstanding students are considered for the Presidential Scholarship, which awards $25,600 per year, including $11,700 in credit for on-campus housing and dining. The James Dickson Carr Scholarship ($10,000/year) and the Scarlet Scholarship ($3,500 per year, with additional $1,500 to $4,000 more per year, depending on Estimated Family Contribution) considers students with excellent academic records and strong financial need. International students may be eligible for the Rutgers International Award ($2,000 to $8,000 per year).

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 95.5

48,378 Students

3

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Set in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains along the New Jersey/New York border, Ramapo College is a small liberal arts college (approximately 6,000 students) that has 36 academic programs and more than 539 course offerings. Entering freshmen who meet the academic requirements are automatically considered for the following scholarship programs: Presidential Scholarship ($18,000 per year), Provost Scholarship ($10,000 per year), Dean's Scholarship ($6,000 per year) and the Academic Achievement Award ($3,000 per year). Students majoring in nursing or social work can apply for the Adler Endowed Scholarship. Sophomore and juniors interested in labor studies, social justice or Latin American socio-economic issues may be eligible for the AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Scholarship.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 95.5

6,003 Students

4

Kean University

Kean University in Union, New Jersey is the largest public university in New Jersey, offering more than 48 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs. Institutional aid is provided to 14% of full-time beginning undergraduates, with students receiving an average institutional award of $2,649. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for five merit scholarships: the full-tuition William Livingston Scholarship, the $4,000 Kean Scholarship, the $3,000 Trustee Scholarship, the $2,500 Presidential Scholarship and the $2,000 Academic Merit Scholarship. Incoming freshmen can also apply for two Distinguished Freshman Scholarships: the NJCSTM Scholarship, which provides awards ranging from 100% in-state tuition to 50% in-state tuition, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship, which provides full-tuition scholarships to students pursuing degrees in the arts.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 95.3

14,359 Students

5

Stockton University

A suburban 2000-acre campus located near the Atlantic Ocean, Stockton University had a 2014 population of 8,570 full-time and part-time undergraduates and graduate students. Incoming freshmen with stellar academic records are automatically considered for the following merit-based scholarships: Presidential Scholarship ($18,000 per year), Provost's Scholarship ($11,000 per year), Dean's Scholarship ($7,000 per year) and the Stockton Scholarship ($2,000 per year). Transfer students may be eligible for the Excellence in Academics Award ($1,000 or $2,000 per year, depending on the student's GPA). Graduates of a NJ community college with an associate's degree who were NJ Stars recipients can apply for the NJ Stars II program in order to work towards a bachelor's degree in Stockton.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 94.8

8,570 Students

6

Saint Peter's University

One of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the country and the only one in New Jersey, St. Peter's University occupies 30 acres in Jersey City, the second largest city in the state and is separated from New York City by a 12-minute train ride. Incoming freshmen with exceptional academic records are automatically considered for the following scholarships: Presidential Academic Scholarship (full tuition), Academic Excellence Scholarship ($25,000/year), Dean's Academic Scholarship ($22,000/year), Ignatian Academic Scholarship ($20,000/year), Pavonia Scholarship ($15,000/year) and the Arrupe Award ($10,000/year). Freshmen who graduate from Catholic high schools may be eligible for the Catholic School Award ($18,000/year). Awards from the Magis Residential Awards for Freshmen are given to help cover a recipient's on-campus housing cost.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 94.7

3,302 Students

7

New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey is a public research university that ranked 149th in U.S. News & World Report's 2015 list of the best national universities. Institutional grants or scholarships are provided to 47% of full-time beginning undergraduates, with students receiving an average institutional gift award of $11,097. Students are automatically considered for all relevant scholarship awards, including the National Merit Scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, room and board for National Merit Finalists, and the Honors Merit Award, which covers tuition, fees, room and board for students admitted into the school's Honors College. Academically outstanding freshmen are also eligible for Faculty Scholarships, which provide awards ranging from $5,000 to $9,700 per year.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 94.5

10,646 Students

8

College of Saint Elizabeth

Founded in 1899, College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey is the oldest women's college in New Jersey and the first four-year Catholic college in the U.S. to grant degrees to women. Most students can expect to receive some aid, with 90% of undergraduates receiving aid from institutional, state, federal or private sources. The average full-time beginning undergraduate can expect to receive more than $33,000 in aid that does not need to be repaid. The school's Presidential Scholarship, for example, offers full tuition to academically outstanding incoming students. The college also offers several tuition discounts, including discounts for students older than 62, students with careers in law enforcement or the armed forces and students who are registered nurses.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

CAG Score 93.9

1,411 Students

9

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Located in Wayne, New Jersey, 20 miles from New York City, William Paterson University offers graduate and undergraduate degrees through its colleges of arts and communications, business, education, humanities and social sciences, and science and health. The university grants merit scholarships that do not require a separate application beyond an admission application. Incoming freshmen are eligible for the William Paterson University Trustee Scholarship, which ranges from $1,000 to $6,000 a year and is renewable for up to four years. Transfer students are eligible for the Presidential Scholarship, $1,000 to $2,000 per year and renewable for up to four semesters. Scholarships are also available for transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa or who enroll in the Honors College.